Close Baby Carrier

I read good review about this and reasonably priced. I was pleased with it once figured out how to use and plenty of different carrying options. Great for younger baby and comfortable and for breast feeding but as my DS got heavier I found the material ties would gradually slip back through the rings and I kept needed to tighten it until I just stopped using it. My DS was a heavy baby though.

I have used the Close Caboo carrier since my son was 2 weeks old, and he's now 3 months. It has been a godsend to help my baby get off to sleep, as I could never get him to settle in the pram/moses basket for naps, but he falls asleep within minutes in the Caboo, especially if I'm walking about or bouncing on the swiss ball. He takes three naps a day in the sling, plus I use it for chores around the house and when out and about, so he is in it for around 4-5 hours a day on average.
I am petite with narrow shoulders but have found it very comfortable, and I wrap the excess straps around the front and then tie at the back to give a bit extra support around the waist which helps to relieve the shoulders. We got the hang of it quickly and I find it really easy to put on, and a bonus is that I can put it on with one hand whilst holding him in the other arm if he's really cranky (although this takes some practice!). I don't use the outer cover piece much in the house, although do when we go out at this also gives a bit of waist support.
However as he's quite a big baby (75th centile) and I'm a small mum I am starting to find that using it for such long periods is beginning to pull on my shoulders, and I am thinking of stepping up to a carrier with more waist support and one that allows for back carrying as I think will be better when he is older. That said, as I have used it so much I think it has been well worth the cost, and I wouldn't have wanted to use a more structured carrier with a small baby as the Caboo is much more cuddly. We were given a second hand Baby Bjorn and it was much less comfortable for me, and I think looked less comfortable for him. Also I have heard recently about the problems of 'crotch carriers' on the baby's pelvis and hips so I think the more natural hold of the Caboo is much better.
However a friend has the Caboo and finds her baby doesn't like it much so she doesn't used it much, so I think the best advice I could give would be to go to a sling meet to try out different ones with your baby before you buy.

A lifesaver. I bought this despite having a perfectly good Baby Bjorn as I felt my baby was not very comfy when she was young. She pretty much lived in it for 4 months and I was able to take her out to dinner, fashion shows, parties etc and she slept happily through it all snuggled into me. Even if I stop using it soon as others have said it may not work with a larger baby I still feel I have had great value for money.

We are still using this sling with our 14 month old dd. She loves being carried in it, and in the early days it was guaranteed to send her to sleep so was great for getting a routine established. The thing I like best about it is it's simplicity - it's soft, easy to get dd in and out of (once you've done it a couple of times!) and to adjust. It takes up little space so can be chucked in the nappy bag if I'm not sure I'll need it or not, and washes nicely in the washing machine. I found it very comfortable to wear, and I also think it's quite stylish - certainly more so than some carriers on the market which can look a bit, erm, surgical!

http://deepinmummymatters.com/2010/08/close-baby-sling/

Just wanted to update my review.... DD is now 10 months and we STILL love love love this sling. It is still the last resort for getting her to sleep. I used to take DD everywhere in the sling but recently she has been getting a bit heavy (she's now 26lbs though!). I showed it to my chiropractor (I have bad back problems) and he totally approved. I have NEVER had back ache and have always felt totally supported using the sling, despite my baby being 98th centile for weight!

Don't understand negative reviews for this sling at all! Everyone who has "had a go" on mine has loved this sling too!

I gave 10 for value as, although it is expensive, this has been one of my longest lasting bits of kit.

I love this sling and most importantly so does DD. It took a few goes before I got the hang of putting it on properly but those adjustments make it so comfortable to wear.

It is quite pricey but I could have saved the money on going for a less expensive pram, if I had known DD would have preferred this so much in the early days.

I loved this sling when DS was little but once he got to 8 months, I found that the material didn't support him properly and I had to hold onto him to feel secure. I tried it again recently for a quick dash around the supermarket and was in agony, even though DS is only 8kg and a year old. I didn't bother with the instructional DVD though, just the pamphlet, so it could be that my laziness is to blame rather than the sling :)

Up to 8 months, this sling was brilliant for my clingy baby, who didn't want to be put down at all, even for naps. It is very soft and easy to put on and adjust and I could breastfeed easily in the standard parent-facing position as well as the nursing position. Overall, recommended.

I love this sling, really quick to put baby in and out of. This is really a bonus for doing the school run, when I don't have time to mess around! My baby loves to sleep in this and I can get jobs done around the house while she is in it.

My wife and I did a lot of research into slings. We found this one, read the reviews and it looked perfect.

It's really awful. We dread using it. We honestly can't understand what the other reviewers are talking about when they say it's a good bit of kit. We're not using it anymore -

This was my first "babywearing" type sling and I thought it was a really good introduction to sling wearing. It gave me confidence to try out other slings such as wraps and mai ties. I found it really comfortable for the first 9 months of DS's life and he would always fall fast asleep in it - normally before we'd even left the house.

I (and 4 week old DD) LOVE this sling. It gives me so much freedom to do chores etc and DD is so happy in there - she usually goes straight to sleep. I would have paid double for the use I am getting out of it! Oh, and its not at all complicated to use - took me 10 mins to get the hang of it.

I bought the Close baby sling to help me do the housework, cooking etc when my baby was very little. It made me feel so liberated! I now use it instead of my pushchair to take ds out and about as he will fall asleep easily and I can have my hands free. Do feel it is quite expensive, however really easy to use and instructional dvd is excellent.

My friend bought this for me because she absolutely loved it. I struggled with it though. It comes with an instructional DVD which I immediately took as a bad sign! I think we also struggled because my daughter was 3 weeks premature and quite small and I'm not very big either. It just seemed way too bulky for both of us. My friend is tall and her little boy is big.

I loved this, was sceptical at 1st as i thought it was a bit new age mum which doesn't really fit for me but actually feel in love with this sling.
It gave me my life back. I am short, have severe arthritis and had a very heavy, clingy baby so generally not a natural sling wearer but my close carrier gave me my arms and my life back. Once you get the hang of putting it on its very easy, and after a bit of practice its remarkably easy to get a wriggling baby in with one hand something if you'd asked me at 1st I would never have thought possible. My arthritis means that carrying my son was difficult and anything with clips impossible, my carrier made the whole experience far easier and allowed me to cuddle my little one. I never quite worked out how to breast feed with it on properly but it was easy enough to slip him out for a feed. The main bonus was I am 4'11 and my husband 5'11 and we both managed to get on with it.

Excellent product. My little one loves it and getting him to sleep is so easy. I have tried other slings- this is the most comfortable, easy to use and appreciated by the baby!

Excellent for a young baby. Stretchy fabrics generally not supportive enough for older/heavier babies.

I found this sling really comfy to use and despite being sold with an instrucional DVD I found it very easy to use, just pop it over your head and pull to tighten! I can happily carry a young baby for long periods of time and even managed a heavy 15 month old in it for over an hour before becoming uncomfortable. I did find that I needed to also tie it at the back to stop it loosening through the rings and also don't find having it in two parts if you want the extra front panel all that practical but the pocket was handy to pop a muslin in when out and about.
All in all a good compromise between a standard front carrier style sling and a wrap sling. Do I prefer a wrap sling...probaby but then I think a sling is a very personal thing and I find this a great alternative for those who cannot get to grips with the tying of a wrap sling.

Brilliant, if overpriced, and ideal for breasfeeding. The only downside is that it doesn't quite cater to all sizes. Both daughter and I are quite small, and the sling was a bit big at first, even when pulled tightest.

I've been using this sling for about 4 weeks and love it. I found it easy to use once I had practiced adjusting it, my son drops off to sleep every time he goes in it. Perhaps a bit warm because of the layers of material, but great for the autumn and winter as you don't need so many layers of clothing. Even with residual pelvic and back problems I have been really comfortable using this sling.

I tried several other slings - ring slings, harness-type ones etc - and COULD NOT get comfy until I got one of these. No plastic clips to dig into your boobs, weight spread evenly across your whole back. Admittedly it takes a bit of getting used to the first few times - but certainly easier than one of those slings that are just one piece of fabric you have to tie yourself. Best thing is that he just falls asleep every time I put him in it! Along with the bouncy chair I would say this is the most useful piece of baby equipment I own.

I was given this by my cousin who had used this with her two children and I found it to be brilliant overall. It had very good back support so carrying my big baby (12lb by 6 weeks) wasn't a problem. Two main problems were that as my son was born in the summer the layers of material meant that he got very hot when in the sling and putting the sling on was quite complicated, taking a while to get the hang of - it even comes with an instruction DVD, that's how complicated it is!

BEWARE - Don't be fooled by the slick pictures - check these out in the flesh before buying... overly complicated to put on and great swathes of excess material that you are meant to tie in great knots all over the place, the adverts seem to hide this very well... I think, if you need a DVD to tell you how to use a bit of fabric... then its probably a bit over complicated.

I love this sling. I have worn it for about 8-10 hours a day since my son was 10 weeks old. I like the fact you don't have to untie it to take the baby out and therefore can just leave the sling on. I also like the way you can adjust it with the baby in it. My son loves it and sleeps best in it. I also feed him in it. We just came back from 7 weeks travelling in India and we only took this sling, no buggy, and I carried him everywhere with no back pain. He's 8 months old now and I'm thinking of changing to a back carry soon but this sling has been fantastic. I find it very easy to put on and most people I know do but my husband finds it tricky for some reason which is why I'm only giving it a 9 for ease of use!

Brilliant carrier! Easy to put on, very comfy, Instructions are very easy to follow and you get a DVD to help if you need it! My 7week old loves this carrier, my other sling just did not give enough support! Only down side is price, but

I've just bought this sling and am very disappointed, I bought it for my (small) 6 month old as he had outgrown his carrier and this is suposed to carry babies up to 32 lbs. It doesn't feel at all secure, my son feels like he might fall out it I stop holding him. There is tons of fabric, the bits that come out of the rings dangle down almost to my ankles (and I am tall). I guess I need to tie it around me in some way, but i already have a huge knot on my back from the wrap part. Over all I would say this is not suitable for older babies and rather bulky and messy.

Wow! I love this carrier. I used a Mothercare active type carrier with my first and this is so much more comfortable. Super soft straps over me and my baby.
Very differently looking when you get it out of the box (I bought this in John Lewis) but it came with a DVD with a lady doing all the instructions (very much like an air hostess!) This made it really clear what I should be doing.
My baby LOVES it in this carrier. As soon as she goes in, she settles. I use it more and more everyday. Life saver!!

Brilliant, very comfortable to wear my husband had it on all day at Burghley horse trials and didn't get uncomfortable once. Watch the DVD and practice with a doll at the beginning, this was a fantastic buy!

This sling draws huge compliments, questions and admiration from passers-by who all seem to want one! My daughter has used this since day one as we live in London and use the tube and she's now 4 months and still loves it. It is a very comfortable and easy to use sling (I've tried a few). You do need the instructions at first but it quickly becomes second nature. The only drawback to this sling is that it does feel hot in hot weather as it's like wearing another layer (or two) of clothing but just dress yourself and baby accordingly and you'll be fine. If you have a winter baby then all the better. I really recommend it.

Just had our 14month in this sling all day at Notting hill Carnival, would totally recommend it! Feel a little stiff now, but not surprised really after carrying 23lbs for 7hours plus! She loves being at our height and feels safe and secure even though we have changed the fitting so she's not so restricted! Great for airports and anywhere you might be in crowds. Bit confusing at first, but like most baby gadgets you soon get the hang of it!

ugh, i hated this sling. here's why:

*** it really doesnt look as good as in the photos. there is LOADS of spare material, looks really messy. part of reason i bought it cause it looked great in pics, in reality, v ugly.
*** COMPLICATED... this is not an easy sling to put on.
*** should, as happened to me, the folds in it come unfolded, you're screwed. i tried unthreading, refolding and threading again on quite a few occasions, this took up hours of my life and yet i never got my baby in sling once cause i couldnt do that successfully

Too geeky for me as a dad

Great with a new born child, too hard to put on by yourself with a 3 month old

Absolutely the greatest sling I have ever used...and the easiest to put on and adjust thanks to a one handed adjustable rings either side of the body - essential with a wriggling baby. I have used mine with my little boy since he was 4 weeks old (he's now 9 months old) and it both comfortable for me and him...and more importantly he stops crying and lets me get on with doing other things. I got mine from ebay where they are a little less expensive but still great value for money.

Brilliant, user friendly, soft organic cotton. very supportive.

I used a baby carrier with my first child but have found this much easier to use. It's like a cross between a sling and a baby carrier. I'm 5'1" and quite petite but find it easy to use and so does DH who is much, much bigger! I particularly wanted a sling that went over both shoulders to distribute the weight evenly as I am such a wimp. It comes with a carry bag and instruction DVD. Overall I think it's well worth the money.